There are places that invite you to spend the day by the sea. And there are others that propose something more: strolling among trees after a morning on the beach, discovering a waterfall in the heart of the Buenos Aires plains, learning to surf, or wandering olive groves that seem lifted from another landscape.
The province of Buenos Aires hides destinations that surprise far beyond its beaches. Some preserve the tranquility of small towns; others combine nature, sports, cuisine, and stories that are part of their identity.
For those already planning their summer vacations in 2027, there are three destinations worth adding to your radar: Coronel Dorrego, San Cayetano, and Necochea.
Three different proposals, united by a common charm: the possibility to slow down, depart from the usual circuits, and discover another way to enjoy the Argentine coast.
1. Coronel Dorrego: the beach Maradona chose, hidden waterfalls, and olive groves
About 110 kilometers from the city of Coronel Dorrego lies Marisol, a seaside resort that preserves something increasingly sought during the summer: expansive beaches, tranquility, and a close relationship with nature.
Between dunes, forests, and the mouth of the Quequén Salado River, this corner of Buenos Aires also guards a special history: it was one of the places Diego Armando Maradona chose to enjoy family vacations during the 1990s.
Far from the crowds, the Ten found a refuge where he could walk along the shore, fish, play football, and share everyday moments with the neighbors.
Christian Frandsen, whose family has been linked to Marisol for four generations, remembers those summers with special affection.
“In the village he found what he had gone to look for: he could roam freely with his family, and the residents tried to make him feel one of them, comfortable, and not bothered,” he says.
Among his memories appears an unforgettable scene: an improvised match on the sand with Maradona.
“One day we played a casual game on the beach and then he invited us to go out for a run. They also lent us the motorized jet skis at the mouth,” he recalls.
These are stories of a Diego far from stadiums, enjoying the small things. “I think Diego was right to choose Marisol as the ideal place to enjoy and rest,” asserts Frandsen.
The waterfalls that few expect to find in Buenos Aires
But Marisol is only a part of what Coronel Dorrego offers.
Along the Quequén Salado River appear two true natural surprises: the La Escondida Waterfall, with a stepped drop of about four meters, and the Cifuentes Waterfall, reaching about eight meters and considered the tallest in the Buenos Aires province.
The Tiger Cave, old bridges, and remnants of a hydroelectric plant complete a circuit that blends nature, adventure, and history.
A getaway among olive groves
Away from the coast, the landscape reshapes again. Coronel Dorrego is also notable for its olive groves and for producing extra virgin olive oil.
Some estates welcome visitors and allow you to discover how this product is produced, learn about its varieties, and get closer to the local olive-growing culture.
Among the options are Estilo Oliva (@estilooliva), Finca Rumaroli (@fincarumarolioficial) and Finca La Comarca (@fincalacomarcaok).
“What surprises you when arriving from the coast to the olive groves is how atypical the production landscape is within the Pampean plain, normally surrounded by vast stretches of wheat and barley,” explains Guillermo Rossotti, owner of Finca Rumaroli.
The proximity to the sea also shapes the identity of these oils, some of which have been recognized in international competitions.
And there is a date to note outside the summer season: every April, the Provincial Olive Festival celebrates this regional production with gastronomic proposals and special activities.
2. San Cayetano: the perfect beach to disconnect from your phone and return to the simple life
Can you imagine spending a vacation without keeping an eye on your phone, notifications, or social networks?
In Balneario San Cayetano, that possibility is part of the charm of the place.
With 28 kilometers of coastline, wide beaches, dunes, and nearly undeveloped areas, this destination offers a summer where the true luxury is time.
Cell service is limited and, although there are spaces with internet access, the experience invites you to connect with something different: nature, unhurried conversations, and the sound of the sea.
“In Balneario San Cayetano, the lack of cellphone signal invites us, almost without realizing it, to disconnect from that routine. And that disconnection allows us to connect with other things: with nature, with the sound of the sea, with an unhurried conversation, with family, or with the simple pleasure of sharing some mates by the sea,” explains Karen Ivana Flensborg, director of Municipal Tourism.
Ships beached and landscapes that tell stories
San Cayetano also features particularly distinctive postcards.
Across its coasts remain the remains of two vessels that form part of the place’s memory: the Charrúa, run aground in 1979, and the Pagrus I, a fishing vessel that was stranded in 2006.
Over the years, these shipwrecks have become part of the landscape and attractions for those who enjoy discovering different stories during their holidays.
But the proposal does not end at the beach.
The SEEA La Salada Interpretative Trail offers a 2.7-kilometer self-guided route to learn about the flora and birds of the coastal environment. You can also visit the Aguas del Pinar complex, which features pools and recreational spaces.
The interior lagoons, meanwhile, attract pejerrey fishing enthusiasts. Bafilma+1
Walking through Bonaerense towns and stories
For those who enjoy mixing nature with culture, the city of San Cayetano offers other attractions.
The old railway station houses the Faustino Queipo Regional Museum, while the Paseo Frente de Vías reclaims a broad public space with sculptures, murals, and green areas.
Another option is to visit Ochandio, a small rural town that preserves its church, its square, and the historic Almacén de Ramos Generales Salvador Alarcón.
These are places that invite a slow walk, conversations with neighbors, and to reclaim that feeling of summers gone by.
“There are families who come back every year, who grew up coming to this beach and who today bring their children and grandchildren. That creates a sense of belonging that goes far beyond the natural appeal,” emphasizes Flensborg.
3. Necochea: a forest by the sea, beaches for surfing, and giant dunes
In Necochea there is a combination that captures you at first sight: the sea and the forest coexist just meters apart.
After a morning on the beach, a short walk is enough to replace the sound of waves with the rustle of leaves moving through the trees.
Miguel Lillo Park is one of the main highlights of the destination. Its pine-lined paths invite you to walk, ride a bike, have a picnic, or simply search for a shaded corner to rest.
Very close by, the Quequén River adds options for those who prefer active vacations, with kayak trips and other recreational activities.
Quequén: a surfing experience to try
Across the river, Quequén has a surfing-oriented identity.
Its beaches attract both seasoned athletes and those looking to try the sensation of standing on a board for the first time.
The wave conditions and the variety of coastal sectors position Necochea and Quequén as outstanding destinations for practicing this sport. Secretaría de Turismo de Necochea
In the breakwater area, Shaka Surf Trip (@shakasurftrips) operates, offering a package that combines surfing lessons, yoga, seaside lodging, and shared activities.
“We love inviting people to discover our beaches, to dare to try something new, and to live that incredible feeling of connecting with the sea and surfing,” say the instructors at the school.
Mighty dunes and beach-bound adventure
For those seeking a different experience, the less urbanized sectors of Necochea hide another surprising landscape.
There lies the White Dune, a colossal sand formation that has become one of the region’s major natural attractions.
The place invites you to enjoy hikes, horseback riding, and activities such as sandboarding, a modality that allows gliding over the dunes with a board.
Necochea also adds sports offerings, wellness spaces, thermal alternatives, and a cuisine that accompanies the tourist movement year-round.
It is an ideal destination for those who want to combine days of rest with different experiences, without having to choose between beach, forest, and adventure.
Tres destinos para vivir un verano diferente
No hace falta viajar demasiado lejos ni elegir los balnearios más concurridos para disfrutar de unas vacaciones inolvidables.
Coronel Dorrego invites you to discover the beach where Maradona found tranquility, the unexpected waterfalls, and olive groves that transform the landscape. San Cayetano proposes recapturing the pleasure of the simple life, disconnecting from screens, and uncovering stories by the sea. And Necochea combines the charm of the forest with the energy of surfing and dune adventures.
Three Buenos Aires destinations to keep on your list of upcoming getaways, because sometimes the best summer memories begin when we dare to discover what lies beyond the beach.
